Welcome to Day 10 of our voyage. The Youth Crew were woken at 0630 this morning and were greeted by a spectacular Sydney morning. Following an early morning activity, breakfast and a short morning brief the anchor was weighed and we transited the relatively short distance from Rose Bay to Garden Island berthing port side to Fleet Base East Berth 5 at 0900.

Once alongside with off loaded garbage, tidied up the ship and made preparations for our Community Day Sail Guests. At 0940 we welcomed onboard 24 guests from the Matraville Sports High School Special Needs Group and another 12 guests from Defence, YEYS and friends and family of the Staff Crew.

Following my welcome address and safety brief lines were cast off and we departed Fleet Base East. Once out on the harbour we proceeded up to Berry’s Bay where we altered course to the east, set sail and enjoyed a great down and around Sydney Harbour. During the three hours that followed our guests got to see the Youth Crew in action as they climbed aloft, set/furled sails and wore/tacked ship.

At 1315 we again berthed at Fleet Base East where we farewelled our guests then the Youth Crew went ashore with their respective Watch Leaders to complete end of voyage talks. Once back onboard the Youth Crew proceeded aloft and put a good set of harbour furls on all three squares.

At 1800 we again departed our berth proceeding directly across the harbour to Athol Bay coming safely to anchor at 1730. Once at anchor we enjoyed a fantastic pizza dinner cooked by our wonderful Masterchef Keely which was served up on deck with the Harbour Bridge and the Sydney Opera House as our ‘picture perfect’ back drop.

Later this evening the Youth Crew completed end of voyage questionnaires and ‘letters to themselves then at sunset we screened the very popular voyage slideshow which gave everyone the opportunity to reflect back on their amazing experiences during the past 10 days.

Tomorrow morning we will start our final day with an early morning activity. Following breakfast and morning brief the anchor will be weighed and once the Youth Crew have manned the yards we will proceed alongside berthing for the final time for this voyage at Garden Islands Fleet Base East Berth 5 at 1000.

Once alongside family and friends will be invited onboard for a tour of the ship and to witness my final address and the presentation of Certificates of Achievement to all of the Youth Crew. Following this presentation we will say our final emotional farewell to the Youth Crew of Voyage 14/17 as they depart the ship.

On a personal note, I would like to thank all of the Youth Crew of Voyage 14/17 for the effort that you have put in throughout this voyage and wish you all the very best for the future.

Tomorrow I will hand the Ship back to Captain Mike who returns from a well earned break. It has great to be back as the Relief Captain for this voyage and I look forward to joining the ship again in Hobart in January for the first voyage for 2018.

Young Endeavour will be out on Sydney Harbour for some filming on 26 & 27 Oct 17 then will go into a short maintenance period before sailing again on the 04 Dec 17.